Pamela Anderson opens up on career, depression, and revival

The actress is known, among others, for her role in "Baywatch," admitted during the Zurich Film Festival that she had suffered from depression for several decades. Pamela Anderson is promoting her new film, "The Last Showgirl," and celebrating receiving the prestigious Golden Eye award.

"I never thought I would be on stage, receiving an award like that," she confessed during the festival in Zurich.

In her speech, she referred to the times when she starred in the hit "Baywatch." "I feel like I went from 'Baywatch' to Broadway in the blink of an eye. Everything in between is one big blur," Anderson said, adding that only now she is beginning to understand how long she struggled with depression.

Anderson’s significant return to the film world began in 2023 thanks to the documentary "Pamela, A Love Story" and the autobiography "Love Pamela." "I always knew I was capable of more," she emphasized. However, she admitted that fame brought both benefits and challenges. "It's great to be a part of pop culture, but it's a blessing and a curse. People fall in love with you because of a bathing suit," she added.

Pamela also talked about her childhood and humble beginnings in British Columbia. She grew up as a rebellious child inspired by her Finnish grandfather. He taught her that the world doesn't end in the small town she came from. On the island, people seldom leave, but when they do, it's always a topic of conversation. Anderson humorously remarked that he provided them with plenty of gossip, free of charge.

Pamela also recalled the early days of the Baywatch set. She was insecure about her first scenes with David Hasselhoff and didn't know what to do: "I was playing saxophone and he was looking at my forehead," she confessed.

Anderson doesn't hide that the difficult experiences from her personal life helped her build the character in the new film. "I think I have been getting ready my whole life for this role," she assured. The actress focused on "rewriting her story." Buying her grandmother's house and renovating it helped her with this.

Receiving the script for "The Last Showgirl" was a breakthrough moment for Pamela. The actress fondly recalls working with Jamie Lee Curtis, who also stars in the film. They quickly formed a bond. "She showed up to the table read in her spray tan and as she was talking to me, she was getting darker, and darker, and darker. Now, I feel like I’ve known her all my life," Anderson recalled.

For three decades, Shelley (Pamela Anderson) has performed as a dancer in a strip revue in Las Vegas. She treats her work as a form of art. Although she has mastered her craft, the show’s directors decide to replace her with a younger model. Shelley faces the dilemma: what to do next with her life, as her greatest asset — her body — has ceased to be attractive?

The film won an award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Special Jury Prize) and was shown at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.